Global Orca Charity

EU Legislative Interests

The implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) through the European Union Wildlife Trade Regulations as related to cetaceans - particularly with respect to orca (Orcinus orca) in both wild and captive environments. Monitoring Member State enforcement of Council Regulation (EC) 338/97 (as amended); Commission Regulation (EC) 865/2006 (as amemded); and EU Zoos Directive (1999/22/EC) for compliance with EU law and reporting possible infringements to the European Commission. Development of policies and regulations to facilitate the creation of sea sanctuaries to accommodate cetaceans presently held in commercial captive facilities in the EU. Promoting policies and regulations to ban the breeding of orca in captivity and end the commercial, public display of orca in orchestrated theatrical shows in EU facilities.

Communication Activities

In 2024-2025, the Global Orca Charity (GOC) provided charitable assistance for scientific research, public education and professional expertise to better understand and protect wild and captive orca (killer whales, Orcinus orca) and to advance global awareness of the species, as well as environmental threats and human impact on orca health and welfare including the following: Dr. Ingrid Visser (President/Chair of the Board) participated in a visit to a cetacean sanctuary site in Greece, with a representative of the French Government, in anticipation of induction of cetaceans from the French captivity industry and provided consultation with the French Government on captive orca. Representatives of the GOC gave presentations regarding the welfare of orca in captivity to various groups, both in person and virtually, including Dr. Visser's briefing to members of the Jane Goodall Institute. Members of Board (individually and collectively) prepared conference material and presented scientific, law, and policy lectures; participated in orca stranding and rescue workshops; and contributed conference abstracts/posters at the 5th International Orca Symposium which was held February 16-22, 2025 in Tarifa, Spain. The GOC collaborated with World Orca Day to prepare social media for 14 July 2024 and will do so again for World Orca Day 14 July 2025. The GOC worked on site with WeWhale (Spain) and Sea Shepherd (France) to evaluate the Iberian orca behaviour near the Strait of Gibraltar to deescalate the interactions between the orca and boats.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Free Morgan Foundation (Netherlands) freemorgan.org Orca Research Trust (New Zealand) orcaresearch.org Sea Shepherd (France) seashepherd.fr Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (Greece, Northeastern Mediterranean) archipelago.gr Iberian Orca Guardians (Spain, Morocco, and Portugal) iberian-orca-guardians.org Punta Norte Orca Research (Argentina) pn-orca.org World Orca Day (Global) worldorcaday.org

Organisation Members

The Global Orca Charity does not have public 'members'. We are a USA based non-profit public benefit charity governed by an International Board of twelve Directors

Additional Information

Initial funding for the GOC occurred in 2023 with $100,000 grant from Dalio Philanthropies (daliophilanthropies.org) in partnership with OceanX (oceanx.org) and $12,000 donation from Crawford Williams Foundation (cwfwildlife.org). OceanX is a nonprofit operating program of Dalio Philanthropies. The 'mission' of OceanX, is to unlock the ocean's sustainable potential: "From nutrition and medicine to climate resilience and economic opportunity, the ocean is brimming with potential. And with the majority of its waters still unexplored, the true extent of its promise remains unknown. Instead of stewarding this vast and vital ecosystem, humanity has long prioritized exploitation over understanding. OceanX is on a mission to change that. Through a dual focus on science and education, we’re building a new paradigm where humanity and the ocean thrive together. We partner with researchers, educators, and decision-makers around the world to explore the unknown, expand global ocean literacy, and turn knowledge into action. Always driven by cutting-edge technology and creative, cross-disciplinary collaboration, we accelerate solutions to the ocean’s most pressing challenges and build momentum for long-term change." The Crawford Williams Foundation's 'mission' is to raise awareness, inspire action, and support conservation projects worldwide: "By collaborating with limited-resource countries and organizations, we acknowledge the importance of working together to preserve the earth’s most vulnerable ecosystems and the species that depend on them." We strive to play our part, however small, in preserving the invaluable treasures of our world for future generations. Our mission is driven by a sense of urgency and a profound understanding of the interconnectedness between the survival of our planet’s ecosystems and our own existence. Together with our partners and supporters, our goal is to make a tangible impact in the ongoing battle for wildlife and wildlands conservation.”